Baird Capital Associate - Investment, Global Private Equity

Baird Careers; Chicago (IL); Híbrido; USD 120.000 - 130.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Profit sharing

Significant bonus

Descripción de la vacante

Baird Capital is seeking an Associate to join the Global Fund investment team within our private equity business in Chicago. This role supports the full investment lifecycle, from evaluating opportunities to portfolio company oversight, with exposure to senior professionals.

The position follows a hybrid schedule—in the Chicago office Monday through Thursday and remote on Fridays—with an anticipated Summer 2027 start date.

Formación

• Minimum two years of experience in investment banking or private equity.
• Strong financial modeling and analytical skills.
• Strong academic record from a leading institution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Hybrid schedule based in Chicago with potential UK secondment.

Responsabilidades

• Evaluate opportunities: screen investments, research companies and markets.
• Execute transactions: support due diligence, modeling and deal materials.
• Portfolio management: monitor performance and contribute to board materials.
• Collaborate across teams with colleagues, portfolio leaders and advisors.
• Grow as an investor with increasing responsibility over time.

Conocimientos

Investment banking

Private equity

Financial modeling

Attention to detail

Communication

Educación

Bachelor's degree

Herramientas

Excel

PowerPoint

Descripción del empleo

About the Role

Baird Capital is seeking an Associate to join the Global Fund investment team within our private equity business. Baird Capital is the direct private investment group of Robert W. Baird & Co. ("Baird") and invests in growing B2B technology and services businesses. Baird is a leading, employee-owned middle-market financial services firm with more than 5,200 employees and over 200 locations across the U.S. and Europe. Baird has been named to Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For list for 23 consecutive years. Our affiliation with Baird provides access to a global knowledge platform and extensive intellectual and human capital across the sectors in which we invest.

Our private equity team has a 35+ year track record of partnering with founder-led businesses to build market-leading platforms. Supported by a global team across North America, Europe, and Asia and a flexible, stage-agnostic capital base, we tailor our investment approach to the unique needs of each business.

Baird Capital is investing out of its 3rd flagship Global Fund ($450M) targeting majority and minority investments in founder or entrepreneur led businesses across technology services & software, industrial sustainability, and pharmaceutical commercialization.

The Associate will support the full investment lifecycle, including evaluating new opportunities, conducting due diligence, executing transactions, and supporting existing portfolio companies. The role provides exposure to senior investment professionals, portfolio-company leadership teams, and internal and external advisors. Responsibilities and ownership are expected to grow as the Associate demonstrates readiness to take on additional responsibility.

This position follows a hybrid schedule, with Monday through Thursday in the Chicago office and Friday remote. The anticipated start date is Summer 2027.

Learn more about our team and investment approach on the Baird Capital website.

The Impact You’ll Make

• Evaluate Opportunities: Screen investments, conduct company and industry research, and assess key value drivers and risks.
• Execute Transactions: Support due diligence, financial modeling, valuation, deal structuring, and investment committee materials.
• Portfolio Management: Monitor performance, track key metrics, and contribute to board materials, strategic initiatives, and add-on acquisitions.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Work with Baird colleagues, portfolio-company leaders, and external advisors throughout the investment lifecycle.
• Grow as an Investor: Build investment judgment and take on greater responsibility over time, with potential opportunities for a UK secondment.

What You’ll Bring to Baird

• Highly motivated with a strong work ethic, sound judgment, and consistent attention to detail.
• Able to manage multiple priorities and work effectively both independently and collaboratively.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with confidence presenting to senior audiences.
• Ability to build effective relationships with colleagues, portfolio-company teams, and external advisors.
• Strong research, financial modeling, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• At least two years of experience in investment banking or private equity.
• Strong academic record from a leading institution.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range of $120,000 to $130,000.
• Significant bonus and profit-sharing opportunity.
• Compensation and bonus are commensurate with experience, individual performance, and firm profitability.
• Additional information is available in the Total Rewards at Baird summary.